MISSISSAUGA, Ontario—Serving the public by day, Staff Sergeant Stephen Carmichael dressed casually and attended Shen Yun Performing Arts off duty this afternoon—as did several Mississauga public servants, each of whom drew separate insights from the show regarding topics, ranging from the arts to culture, religion to politics.
After seeing the Shen Yun Performing Arts matinee on March 22 at the Living Arts Centre, the policeman, as well as a kindergarten teacher and a Peel district vice principal, all lauded it from disparate viewpoints.
“I think this is a beautiful performance,” said Mr. Carmichael, who serves in the Toronto Police Service. “The quality of the performance is above anything I’ve ever seen in my life, in my 53 years.”
Mr. Carmichael says he’s “not a fan” of communism and “the people of China deserve to be free of communism.”
Yet, despite his own Western religious beliefs, the staff sergeant found Shen Yun instructive in how universal its values were. “I saw a lot of parallels in significance for my faith,” he said, adding that he is a Catholic.
“It’s an awesome show! Incredible show! I don’t know if you get anything better to watch,” Mr. Cockburn said.
He noted how the musicianship, soprano soloist, drama, spirituality, and politics—the whole package—all fused together seamlessly for a consummate work of perfection.
“Everything is all-encompassed as one,” he said, adding that this is how you know “it’s done well” and “on point.”
“It’s really, really good! I’ve seen many shows—yes, it was a good show. Solid.”
But Ms. Muscedere felt it “unfortunate that these performances are not available to be seen in China, because we’re seeing them from the outside, rather than them seeing it from the inside.”
“The politics complicates so much,” Ms. Muscedere said. But, she added, a show like Shen Yun “brings hope.”
